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Lorain: Bascule Brewery and Public House hangs new permanent signage

Bascule Brewery and Public House has stood at 1397 Colorado Ave. on Lorain’s east side for nearly a decade.

On Jan. 6, the brewery staff finally put the finishing touches on the beloved establishment, as the building’s banner was replaced with a full suite of exterior signs.

The new sign outside the brewery has been in the works since the business’s inception in 2015, owner Chris Kambouris said.

While it might seem like a small change, Kambouris said the symbolism of the new sign holds profound meaning for him.

After more than a half decade, Kambouris said the Bascule Brewery finally feels like a permanent fixture in Lorain’s sprouting small business scene.

“It means a lot because we’ve managed to somehow scrape by for seven years without a sign,” Kambouris said. “We’re proud of our accomplishments and what we’ve managed to do.

“So, I can only imagine what finally having some visibility on this corner will do for us.”

Kambouris said he is “amazed” that so many Lorainites still have no idea his brewery even exists.

The new sign, he hopes, will help guide more potential customers to one of the city’s growing small businesses.

“I actually have to argue with people that we didn’t just open up two years ago,” Kambouris joked. “I see Lorain as a whole, you’re really starting to see a shift, and you’re certainly getting more of a buzz about it.

“I knew going into this business that it wasn’t going to happen overnight.”

The original idea for the brewery came from the concept of the European public house, more commonly known as the pub.

Kambouris said he wanted his business to be more than just a bar, but a place where people can socialize and make friends.

“The overall premise of Bascule Brewery was for it to be a public house,” he said. “We’re not just your hole in the wall bar; this is a much more open, inviting, social spot.

“You can think of us in terms of almost like a coffee shop.”

To help realize that vision of a public house, Kambouris and his staff have hosted a variety of events.

Since their grand reopening after being vandalized in 2022, the social hotspot has presented karaoke nights, weekend brunches and a number of other themed gatherings.

“There’s something about this place that people feel a certain connection to,” Kambouris said. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this place holds a certain (significance).

“It doesn’t feel like we’ve been here just for seven years. It feels like we’ve always existed.”

The business is on a two-week hiatus, Kambouris said.

The brewery will reopen on Jan. 16 featuring a newly-crafted beer known as “Control Alt Delete” to celebrate the bar’s hard reboot.